Fluid product dispensing device

ABSTRACT

A fluid dispenser device including at least one individual reservoir ( 21 ) containing a single dose of fluid, opening means ( 40 ) being provided for opening an individual reservoir ( 21 ) each time the device is actuated, said opening means ( 40 ) comprising perforator and/or cutter means ( 41 ) and movable support means ( 50 ), said movable support means ( 50 ) being adapted to displace an individual reservoir ( 21 ) against said perforator and/or cutter means ( 41 ) on each actuation.

The present invention relates to a fluid dispenser device, and moreparticularly to a dry-powder inhaler.

Dry-powder inhalers are well known in the prior art. Various typesexist. A first type of inhaler contains a reservoir receiving many dosesof powder, the inhaler being provided with metering means making itpossible, on each actuation, to remove one dose of said powder from thereservoir, so as to bring said dose into an expulsion duct in order tobe dispensed to the user. Another type of inhaler consists in packagingthe doses of powder in individual predosed reservoirs, then in openingone of the reservoirs each time the inhaler is actuated. Thatimplementation seals the powder more effectively since each dose isopened only when it is about to be expelled. In order to make suchindividual reservoirs, various techniques have already been proposed,such as an elongate blister strip or blisters disposed on a rotarycircular disk. Inhalers including individual reservoirs, such ascapsules, that are loaded into the inhaler just before said reservoir isused are also described in the prior art. The advantage of such devicesis that it is not necessary to store all of the doses inside theappliance, such that said appliance can be compact. Obviously however,the inhaler is more difficult to use, since the user is obliged to loada capsule into the inhaler before each use. All existing types ofinhalers, including those described above, present both advantages anddrawbacks associated with their structures and with their types ofoperation. Thus, with certain inhalers, there is the problem of accuracyand of reproducibility for the dose on each actuation. In addition, theeffectiveness of the dispensing, i.e. the fraction of the dose thateffectively penetrates into the user's lungs in order to have abeneficial therapeutic effect, is also a problem that exists with acertain number of inhalers. A solution for solving that specific problemhas been to synchronize the expulsion of the dose with the inhalation ofthe patient. Once again, that can create drawbacks, in particular inthat type of device, the dose is generally loaded into an expulsion ductbefore inhalation, then expulsion is synchronized with inhalation. Thatmeans that if the user drops, shakes, or manipulates the inhaler in anundesirable or inappropriate manner between the moment when the userloads the dose (either from a multidose reservoir or from an individualreservoir) and the moment when the user inhales, then the user riskslosing all or part of the dose, with said dose possibly being spreadabout inside the appliance. In that event, there can exist a high riskof overdosing the next time the device is used. The user who realizesthat the dose is not complete will load a new dose into the appliance,and while the new dose is being inhaled, a fraction of the previous dosethat was lost in the appliance could thus be expelled at the same timeas the new dose, thereby causing an overdose. In the treatmentsenvisaged, such overdosing can be very harmful, and the authorities inall countries are issuing ever-stricter requirements to limit the riskof overdosing as much as possible. With regard to opening the individualreservoirs, it has been proposed to peel off or to unstick the closurelayer. That presents the drawback of difficulty in controlling theforces to be applied in order to guarantee complete opening, withoutrunning the risk of opening the next reservoir, particularly if theopening means need to be actuated by inhalation. In a variant, it hasbeen proposed to perforate the closure layer or wall. That presents thedrawback that the cut wall-portions risk retaining a fraction of thedose inside the reservoir, so that metering accuracy and reproducibilityare therefore not guaranteed.

An object of the present invention is to provide a fluid dispenserdevice, in particular a dry-powder inhaler, that does not have theabove-mentioned drawbacks.

In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide such aninhaler that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and to assemble,that is reliable in use, guaranteeing metering accuracy and meteringreproducibility on each actuation, providing an optimum yield withregard to the effectiveness of the treatment, by making it possible todispense a substantial fraction of the dose to the zones to be treated,in particular the lungs, avoiding, in safe and effective manner, anyrisk of overdosing, and that is as compact as possible, whileguaranteeing sealing and absolute integrity of all of the doses up totheir expulsion.

The present invention therefore provides a fluid dispenser deviceincluding at least one individual reservoir containing a single dose offluid, such as powder, opening means being provided for opening anindividual reservoir each time the device is actuated, said openingmeans comprising perforator and/or cutter means and movable supportmeans, said movable support means being adapted to displace anindividual reservoir against said perforator and/or cutter means on eachactuation.

Advantageously, said movable support means are displaceable between anon-dispensing position and a dispensing position, said movable supportmeans being urged towards their dispensing position by resilient means,such as a spring or a spring blade, and being held in theirnon-dispensing position by blocking means.

Advantageously, said blocking means are released by the user inhaling.

Advantageously, said resilient means are deformable between a restposition, in which they do not urge the movable support means towardstheir dispensing position, and a stressed position, in which they urgesaid movable support means towards their dispensing position, saidresilient means being deformed manually into their stressed positionbefore the user inhales.

Advantageously, said device comprises a body and a cap that is movablebetween a closed position and an open position, opening the capdeforming the resilient means into their stressed position.

Advantageously, the movable support means are displaced in a curvebetween the non-dispensing and dispensing positions.

Advantageously, said blocking means comprise a first element that ismovable between a non-actuated position and an actuated position, saidfirst element being secured to said movable support means, and a secondelement that is movable between a blocking position and an unblockingposition, said second element being displaced towards its unblockingposition while the user is inhaling.

Advantageously, said second element is displaceable in turning.

Advantageously, said second element co-operates with a displaceableand/or deformable unit that is adapted to be displaced and/or deformedduring inhalation.

Advantageously, said displaceable and/or deformable unit comprises adeformable air-chamber that is connected to an inhaler endpiece.

Advantageously, said deformable air-chamber comprises a deformablemembrane, such as a bellows.

Advantageously, said chamber contracts during inhalation, causing thesecond element of said blocking means to be displaced towards itsunblocking position.

Advantageously, a dispenser chamber is provided for receiving the doseof fluid contained in a reservoir after said reservoir has been opened,said dispenser chamber being connected firstly to said opening means,and secondly to a dispenser orifice that is connected to an inhalerendpiece.

Advantageously, said dispenser chamber contains at least one movablebead.

Advantageously, said dispenser chamber is secured to said displaceableand/or deformable unit, such that said dispenser chamber is displacedduring inhalation.

In a variant embodiment, said opening means do not move while thereservoir is being opened.

In another variant embodiment, said opening means move while thereservoir is being opened.

Advantageously, said movable support means support a guide wheel.

Advantageously, the reservoirs are made in the form of an elongate stripcomprising a plurality of individual reservoirs disposed one behindanother.

Advantageously, the guide wheel includes at least one recess that isadapted to receive and to guide a reservoir.

Advantageously, said guide wheel is firstly turnable about its centralpin so as to cause the elongate strip to advance, and secondlydisplaceable, together with the movable support means, towards adispensing position, so as to bring a reservoir into contact with thereservoir opening means.

Advantageously, the guide wheel is turned manually by the user, whereasits displacement towards the dispensing position takes placeautomatically by the user inhaling.

Advantageously, said guide wheel co-operates with rotary positioningmeans that are adapted to determine the rotary position of said guidewheel.

Advantageously, said positioning means comprise a projection or fingerthat co-operates with notches provided on the guide wheel.

Advantageously, in the dispensing position, the guide wheel co-operateswith abutment means that are adapted to determine the dispensingposition of said guide wheel after inhalation.

Advantageously, said abutment means comprise a lug that is adapted toco-operate with at least one plane surface of said guide wheel in thedispensing position.

Advantageously, said opening means comprise perforator and/or cuttermeans that are adapted to cut a closure wall of the reservoir in such amanner that the cut portion(s) does/do not obstruct the opening(s) thatis/are formed.

Advantageously, the dispenser device includes a dose indicator forindicating to the user the number of doses that have been dispensed orthat remain to be dispensed.

These characteristics and advantages and others of the present inventionappear more clearly from the following detailed description of severalembodiments and variants thereof, given by way of non-limiting example,and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic section view of a dispenser device constitutinga first embodiment;

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b are views of a detail of an inhalation trigger systemconstituting an advantageous embodiment, respectively without and duringinhalation;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of another embodiment of the inhalationtrigger system;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of still another embodiment of theinhalation trigger system;

FIGS. 5 a to 8 b show a utilization sequence of the FIG. 1 device,respectively showing an external view and an internal view of the devicefor the respective steps of rest (FIGS. 5 a and 5 b), of stressing oropening the device (FIGS. 6 a and 6 b), of inhaling (FIGS. 7 a and 7 b),and of end of use or closure of the device (FIGS. 8 a and 8 b);

FIGS. 9 and 10 are diagrams showing blocking means constituting a firstvariant embodiment;

FIGS. 11 and 12 show another variant embodiment of the blocking means;

FIGS. 13 to 16 are diagrams showing opening means constituting anadvantageous embodiment, respectively before a reservoir is opened,after it has been opened, while air is flowing into the reservoir, andwhile air and powder are flowing out of the reservoir;

FIG. 17 shows advantageous perforator and/or cutter means;

FIG. 18 shows a variant embodiment of the perforator and/or cuttermeans;

FIGS. 19 and 20 show two variant embodiments of the opening means, theFIG. 19 reservoir being in its open position;

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing, in detail, an advantageous variant of themovable support means;

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing, in detail, receiver means for receiving aused strip;

FIGS. 23 and 24 are diagrams showing, in detail, two variants ofdose-indicator means;

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing, in detail, flattener means for flatteningempty reservoirs;

FIGS. 26 and 27 are views similar to FIG. 1 and respectively show twoother embodiments of the dispenser device;

FIG. 28 is a diagrammatic perspective view of still another embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 29 is a diagrammatic perspective view of another variant embodimentof the perforator and/or cutter means;

FIG. 30 is a diagrammatic section view of the FIG. 29 perforator and/orcutter means;

FIG. 31 is a view similar to the view in FIG. 29, showing still anothervariant embodiment of the perforator and/or cutter means;

FIG. 32 is a diagrammatic section view of the FIG. 31 perforator and/orcutter means;

FIG. 33 is a fragmentary and diagrammatic section view of still anotherembodiment of the inhalation trigger system, in its pre-inhalationposition;

FIG. 34 is a view similar to the view in FIG. 33, post inhalation;

FIG. 35 is a diagrammatic section view of the movable support means intheir non-dispensing position;

FIG. 36 is a view similar to the view in FIG. 35, in the dispensingposition;

FIGS. 37 and 38 are diagrammatic views respectively in section and inperspective of the rotary positioning means that co-operate with themovable support means;

FIG. 39 is a diagrammatic section view of a variant embodiment of thediaphragm in FIGS. 33 and 34;

FIG. 40 is a view of a detail of the FIG. 39 diaphragm;

FIG. 41 is a diagrammatic perspective view showing the fastening of themouthpiece on the body, constituting a particular embodiment; and

FIG. 42 is a diagrammatic section view showing an example of controlmeans for controlling the inhalation flow, in the inhalation position.

FIGS. 1 to 8 b show a first embodiment of a dry-powder inhaler. Theinhaler comprises a central body 10 on which there are slidably mountedtwo lateral portions 11, 12 that form a cap when the device is closedand that are adapted to be moved apart in order to open the device andthus stress the device as described below. The body 10 can beapproximately rounded in shape, as shown in the figures, but it could beof any other appropriate shape. The body 10 includes a mouthpiece orinhaler endpiece 15 through which the user inhales while the device isbeing actuated. The two cap-forming lateral portions 11, 12 can beopened by pivoting about a common pivot axis as shown in the figures,but any other opening means can be envisaged for opening the device.Alternatively, it is possible to provide only one cap element 11 that ismovable relative to the body 10, as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27.

The body advantageously includes a window 19 through which the count ofthe doses that have been dispensed or that remain to be dispensed can bedisplayed in visible manner for the user. The window 19 canadvantageously be provided on or close to the pivot axis of thecap-forming lateral portions 11, 12. Inside the body 10 there isprovided a strip 20 of individual reservoirs 21, also known as blisters,said strip preferably being an elongate strip 20 on which the blisters21 are disposed one behind another, in manner known per se. The blisters21 are not shown in the overall views in FIGS. 1, 5 b, 6 b, 7 b, 8 b,26, and 27, so as not to clutter the drawings for the purpose ofclarity, but they are visible in FIGS. 13 to 16 and 21 and 23. Theblister strip 20 is advantageously constituted by a base layer or wall22 that forms the cavities 21 receiving the doses of powder, and by aclosure layer or wall 23 that covers each of said blisters 21 in sealedmanner. The blister strip 20 can be rolled-up inside the body 10, anddrive means 30 for driving the strip are provided for progressivelyunrolling the blister strip and for bringing a respective blister orindividual reservoir 21 into a dispensing position each time the deviceis actuated. When an individual reservoir 21 has been emptied byinhalation, the strip portion 35 that includes said empty reservoirs isadvantageously adapted to be rolled-up at another location of said body10, as described in greater detail below.

In a first aspect of the inhaler, reservoir opening means 40 areprovided in, or secured to, the body 10, the opening means 40 comprisingperforator and/or cutter means 41 for perforating or cutting the closurelayer of the blisters. Movable support means 50 are also provided in thedevice and are adapted to support a given reservoir that is to be openedduring the next inhalation. The movable support means 50 are adapted todisplace the reservoir to be emptied against said perforator and/orcutter means 41 of the device during actuation. Advantageously, themovable support means 50 are urged by a resilient element 51, such as aspring or any other equivalent resilient element, said resilient element51 being suitable for being prestressed while the device is beingopened. Advantageously, the movable support means 50 are displaceablebetween a first position (a non-dispensing position) and a secondposition (a dispensing position) that is the position for opening thereservoir. The movement between the first and second positionsadvantageously takes place along a curve. With reference moreparticularly to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, it should beobserved that the movable support element 50 is made integrally with arod 50 that is hinged relative to said body 10. A guide wheel 30 that isfastened on said rod 50 receives and guides the blisters. Turning theguide wheel 30 causes the blister strip 20 to advance. In a particularangular position, a given reservoir 21 is always in position to beopened by the opening means 40, i.e. by the perforator and/or cuttermeans 41. Advantageously, rotary positioning means 300 for positioningsaid guide wheel 30 in turning can be provided for accuratelydetermining the angular position of said guide wheel 30 after each turn.In an advantageous variant shown in FIGS. 37 and 38, the positioningmeans 300 can comprise a projection or finger 301 having an end thatco-operates resiliently with notches 38 that are provided around saidguide wheel 30. Advantageously, the notches 38 have a V-shaped profilethat automatically guides said finger 301 towards the central positionof the notch, thereby guaranteeing accurate angular positioning at eachturn. The guide wheel 30 preferably forms the drive means for drivingthe strip. An additional wheel 38 could optionally be provided so as tohelp guide and/or drive the blister strip 20, as shown in FIG. 21. Saidrod 50 can be connected to a second rod 55 in such a manner as to form aV, the point of the V being formed by the pivot axis of the rod(s). Thesecond rod, that can be stationary or pivotable, can support theresilient element 51, such as a spring, that also co-operates with anactive element 57. FIGS. 5 a to 8 b show an actuation cycle of thedevice. FIGS. 5 a and 5 b show the device in its closed, rest position.While the device is being opened (FIGS. 6 a and 6 b), the twocap-forming lateral portions 11 and 12 are moved apart by pivoting onthe body 10 in order to open the device. The active element 57 is thusurged against the second rod 55 so as to compress, and therefore stress,the spring 51. In this position, the rod 50 supporting the guide wheel30 cannot be displaced in pivoting, since it is held by appropriateblocking means 100 (not shown in the overall views, but visible in FIGS.9 to 12). It is while the user is inhaling through the mouthpiece 15(FIGS. 7 a and 7 b) that the blocking means 100 are unblocked, therebycausing said rod 50 and therefore said guide wheel 30 to pivot towardsthe opening means 40, and thereby causing a reservoir 21 to be opened bymeans of said perforator and/or cutter means 41. Since the guide wheel30 is fastened on a rod 50 that pivots about a pivot axis, the reservoir21 is displaced along a curve in this embodiment. During opening, thecurve provides a particular advantage that is described in greaterdetail below.

Advantageously, abutment means 350 are provided for accuratelydetermining the dispensing position of the guide wheel 30 after eachinhalation. The abutment means can comprise a lug 350, as shown in FIGS.35 and 36, that is adapted to co-operate, when in the dispensingposition, with one or more corresponding plane surfaces of the guidewheel 30. Preferably, one plane surface is associated with each recess.In this embodiment, the abutment 350 contributes to correct rotarypositioning of the guide wheel 30 when the perforator and/or cuttermeans penetrate into the reservoir. The abutment 350 therefore definesnot only the depth to which said perforator and/or cutter meanspenetrate into the reservoir, but also their centering relative to thereservoir, so as to guarantee optimum expulsion of the powder andreproducibility of the dose taken on each actuation. The abutment means350 can be associated with the above-mentioned rotary positioning means300, in such a manner as to predetermine in accurate manner eachposition of the guide wheel, in the non-dispensing position, in thedispensing position, and also while the guide wheel 30 is beingdisplaced between said positions. This makes it possible to avoid anyrisk of the device blocking in the event of said guide wheel being badlypositioned.

In the embodiment shown, while the reservoir 21 is being displacedtowards its opening position in order to be opened by the perforatorand/or cutter means 41, the perforator and/or cutter means 41 arepreferably stationary relative to the body. However, it is possible toenvisage that the perforator and/or cutter means 41 could also moveduring the step of opening the reservoir 21. For example, the perforatorand/or cutter means 41 could be displaced towards the reservoir 21 whilethe reservoir 21 is being displaced towards the perforator and/or cuttermeans 41. In another variant, it is also possible to envisage that thereservoir 21 and the perforator and/or cutter means 41 are displaced inthe same direction during actuation, the reservoir 21 being displacedmore quickly in said direction, such that it comes into contact withsaid perforator and/or cutter means 41 in order to be opened.

As explained above, it is desirable for the opening means to be actuatedby the user inhaling. In order to trigger the reservoir opening means byinhalation, an inhalation trigger system is provided that advantageouslycomprises a unit 60 that is displaceable and/or deformable under theeffect of inhalation, the unit 60 being adapted to release the blockingmeans 100. The unit 60 advantageously comprises a deformable air-chamber61 that co-operates with the blocking means 100 of said movable supportmeans 50. Inhalation by the user causes said deformable air-chamber 61to deform, thereby making it possible to release said blocking means 100and therefore unblock the movable support means 50, so as to make itpossible to displace the guide wheel 30 and a respective reservoir 21towards its opening position. Advantageously, the air chamber 61 cancomprise a deformable membrane, such as a bellows or a pouch 62, thatcan be connected firstly to the mouthpiece 15, and secondly to saidblocking means 100 in direct or indirect manner. Thus, duringinhalation, the bellows or pouch 62 deforms and contracts, causing saidblocking means 100 to be displaced into an unblocking position. In avariant, the bellows could be replaced by any deformable membrane.

The inhaler further includes a dispenser chamber 70 for receiving thedose of powder after a respective reservoir 21 has been opened. Thedispenser chamber 70 is advantageously provided with at least one bead75 that is displaced inside said chamber 70 during inhalation so as toimprove dispensing of the air and powder mixture after a reservoir 21has been opened, in order to increase the effectiveness of the device.

In a particular variant, the deformable air-chamber 61 co-operates withthe dispenser chamber 70. The dispenser chamber 70 can therefore beconnected to the reservoir-opening means 40, and in particular to theperforator and/or cutter means 41, and can include a dispenser orifice79. The dispenser chamber 70 can itself optionally be displaceablebetween a rest position and an inhalation position, such that when auser inhales through the mouthpiece 15, causing the deformableair-chamber 61 to deform, the dispenser chamber 70 is displaced from itsrest position to its inhalation position. In the inhalation position,the dispenser orifice 79 comes to be placed in said mouthpiece 15, so asto guarantee good dispensing of the dose, as shown in FIG. 7 b. In theembodiment shown in FIGS. 2 a, 2 b, 5 b to 8 b, 26, and 27, the bellows62 is therefore connected firstly to the mouthpiece 15, and secondly tothe dispenser chamber 70, in the inhalation flowpath of the user. Asshown in the drawings, it can be advantageous for the opening means 40,in particular for the perforator and/or cutter means 41, to be formeddirectly on said dispenser chamber 70, e.g. at the end of a channel 69leading to said chamber 70. Similarly, in its inhalation position, thedispenser chamber 70 can be adapted to release the blocking means 100,which were previously holding the movable support means 50 in theinitial position, so as to enable the movable support means 50 todisplace the reservoir 21 towards the opening position.

After inhalation, as shown in FIGS. 8 a and 8 b, when the user closesthe device, all of the components return to their initial, restposition, i.e. the movable support means 50 pivot about their pivot axis56 to return to their initial or first position by moving away from thereservoir opening means 40, and the active element 57 that co-operateswith the prestressed spring 51 is also returned to its initial restposition in which the spring 51 is not compressed. The device is thusready for a new utilization cycle.

In a variant, other inhalation trigger means could also be used, e.g.using a pivotable valve flap that, while the user is inhaling, pivotsunder the effect of the suction created by the inhalation, with pivotingof the valve flap causing the blocking means blocking the movablesupport means to be released, thereby causing the reservoir to bedisplaced towards the opening means.

FIG. 3 shows a variant embodiment of the bellows 62, in which thebellows is not disposed directly between the mouthpiece 15 and thedispenser chamber 70, but is housed in the main body 10 below thedispenser chamber 70. In this variant embodiment, during inhalation, thebellows could even deform in order to expand, thereby causing thedispenser chamber to be displaced towards its inhalation position,whereas, in the above-described embodiment, the bellows contracts duringinhalation so as to pull the dispenser chamber towards its inhalationposition.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment in which the bellows (or the membrane)is replaced by a piston 67 or the like, sliding in a hollow sleeve 68 soas to deform the air chamber 61. The piston 67, which can be made in theform of a thin plate, can include a hole (not shown) for controllingresistance to the flow of air. In the embodiment shown, the piston 67 issecured to the dispenser chamber 70, and the sleeve 68 is secured to themouthpiece 15, but the opposite could also be envisaged.

FIGS. 33 and 34 show another variant embodiment in which a pouch or adiaphragm 62 forms the air chamber 61. The pouch 62 is connected to themouthpiece 15 via a channel 151 that is advantageously disposed aroundan expulsion channel 152 that is connected to the dispenser chamber 70.The pouch 62 is fastened to a rod that is connected to the blockingmeans 100, inhalation causing the pouch 62 to deform and thereforedeforming the rod in order to displace said blocking means 100. FIGS. 39and 40 show a variant embodiment of the pouch 62. Said pouch,advantageously made of silicone, can include a hem 620 that is adaptedto seal with the body 10, e.g. between the body 10 and the mouthpiece15. To do this, the hem 620 can be extended by a flange 625, also madeof silicone, that becomes compressed by a snap-fastener portion 1001 ofthe body 10 in order to achieve sealing, and in particular to avoid anyhead loss in the inhalation flow.

FIG. 41 shows a detail of how the portion forming the mouthpiece 15 isfastened on the body 10, in a particular embodiment. The mouthpiece 15can include a window 1500 that co-operates with a sloping projection1010 of the body 10. Since a top portion 1011 of the body 10 is alsojammed by a shoulder 1501 of the mouthpiece 15, the sloping projection1010 guarantees sealing of the snap-fastening.

FIG. 42 shows a variant embodiment in which the pivot rod 50 thatsupports the guide wheel 30 includes an extension 501 which, in theinhalation position, comes to close substantially a hole 1550 providedin the mouthpiece 15. Thus, the inhalation flow, which prior to theguide wheel 30 and its rod 50 being displaced passes in part through thehole 1550, is mainly channeled towards emptying of said coveredreservoir after said elements have been displaced and the hole 1550 hasbeen closed, and therefore after the reservoir has been opened. Thisimproves effectiveness during inhalation and helps to ensure that thereservoir is emptied in optimum manner.

In another advantageous aspect of the inhaler, the individual reservoirsor blisters 21 are formed on an elongate strip 20 that is stored in theform of a roll inside the body 10 of the device. Advantageously, therolled-up blister strip 20 is held by inner walls of said body 10without its “rear” end (rear in the displacement direction of theblister strip 20) being fastened relative to said body 10, therebyenabling the blister-strip roll to be assembled more easily inside thedevice. The blister strip 20 is displaced by the user, advantageously bymeans of the guide wheel 30 that advantageously presents at least oneand preferably more recesses 31 having a shape that corresponds to theshape of the blisters. Thus, when the guide wheel 30 turns, it drivesthe blister strip 20. No other drive system is necessary for displacingthe blisters 21 during each actuation. Naturally, in a variant or inadditional manner, it is possible to use other means for advancing theblister strip, e.g. providing a profile on the longitudinal lateraledges of the blister strip, said profile being adapted to co-operatewith appropriate drive means. In addition, holes formed along thelateral edges of the blister strip could also be used to cause theblister strip to advance by means of toothed wheels co-operating withsaid holes.

The blocking means 100 are for holding the movable support means 50 intheir initial position, and for preventing the reservoir 21 from beingdisplaced towards its opening position until the user inhales. Theblocking means 100 must be able to be released in safe, reliable, andeasy manner while the user is inhaling, so that the reservoir isdisplaced quickly and reliably towards the opening means, without anyneed for excessive force. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, theblocking means 100 can comprise two elements 101, 102 that are connectedtogether. The second element 102 is turned along arrow B when anappropriate inhalation threshold is reached, such turning of the secondelement 102 thus causing the first element 101 to be released, the firstelement 101 also being subjected to a force along arrow A from themovable support means 50, under the effect of the resilient element 51that was prestressed while the device was being opened. The firstelement 101 could be pivotally mounted about a pivot point 109 disposedbetween its two ends, a first end being subjected to force from themovable support means 50 along arrow A, and the other end co-operatingwith the second element 102. In this embodiment, shown in FIGS. 9 and10, when the second element 102 has turned along arrow B followinginhalation, the end of the first element 101 that was blocked by thesecond element 102 is therefore displaced in a direction (arrow C) thatis opposite to the force (arrow A). In a variant, shown in FIGS. 11 and12, it is also possible to use a rotary rod or bar 102 that co-operateswith a peg 101 that exerts an axial force (arrow A) on said rod 102 whenthe device is prestressed. The rotary bar 102 advantageously presents ashape that is suitable for enabling said stressed rod 101 to bedisplaced freely in the direction A of the force exerted on it by theprestressed movable support means 50 when said rotary bar 102 has turnedthrough a certain angle. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the rotarybar 102 includes a bottom portion 107 of diameter that is greater than atop portion 108, so that after turning through 90°, the shoulder 106that is formed between the two portions 107 and 108 pushes the axial rod101 in such a manner as to off-center it relative to the central pin ofthe rotary bar 102, so that the axial rod 101 slides along the rotarybar 102 and can move downwards in FIGS. 11 and 12 in the direction ofarrow A, so as to enable the movable support means 50 to be displacedtowards the reservoir-opening position. Other variant embodiments canobviously be envisaged in order to achieve blocking, and to release saidblocking while the user is inhaling.

In still another aspect of the inhaler, dose counter or indicator means120 are also provided. The means can either include numbers or symbols125 that are marked directly on the blister strip 20, and that arevisible through an appropriate window 19 in the body 10 of the device.In a variant, it is possible to envisage using a rotary disk 121including numbers or symbols 125, e.g. marked in a spiral on the disk.In this event, a slidable element (not shown) with an appropriate windowcould be engaged in a spiral track that is provided on the disk 121, soas to display the number or symbol 125 that is pertinent to the currentdose. Finally, indicators including rotary wheels, e.g. a units wheeland a tens wheel could also be envisaged. Other variants can also beenvisaged, such as the use of two superposed rotary disks, or a singledisk with the numbers marked around its periphery.

After opening one or more blisters, the blister-strip portion 35 withthe empty reservoirs must be suitable for being stored in easy andcompact manner in the device. Advantageously, the used blister strip 35is rolled-up automatically, once again forming a roll. Advantageously,the end of the used blister strip 35 (the “front” end of the blisterstrip 20) can be fastened to a rotary shaft or element 150 thataccompanies each displacement of the blister strip by turning through acorresponding angle. This encourages the used blister strip 35 to rollup. In advantageous manner, the shaft 150 does not apply any tractionnor any other drive force on the blister strip 20, but serves only toexert rotary guidance on its end, in order to roll up the used portion35 of the strip.

In another advantageous aspect of the inhaler, used-blister flattenermeans 160 can be used to flatten the blisters 21 once the dose that theycontain has been emptied. This makes it possible to reduce the storagevolume for the used blister strip 35. The flattener means 160 could beconstituted by two cylinders between which the used blister strip 35passes. The cylinders 160 could be smooth or they could present anappropriate profile (e.g. fluted as shown in FIG. 25) on theirperipheral surface so as to provide optimum effectiveness, whilerequiring minimum force in order to flatten used or empty blisters.

In still another aspect of the inhaler, the opening means 40 for openingthe reservoirs 21 comprise perforator and/or cutter means 41. Theperforator and/or cutter means 41 preferably have an appropriate shape,such that the cut wall portions 24 of the blister 21 fold towards theinside of the blister without covering the openings 25 formed by theperforator and/or cutter means 41. FIGS. 13 to 16 show a cycle ofopening and expelling the dose of a blister. Advantageously, theperforator and/or cutter means 41 include at least two oppositeperforating ends 42, 43 that are separated from each other by anappropriate distance 44. The perforator and/or cutter means 41advantageously create a central fold in the cut wall portions 24, makingit possible for the openings 25 that are formed not to be covered at allby any cut wall portion 24. Advantageously, as shown in FIGS. 13 to 17,each perforator end 42, 43 is dish-shaped and is formed by a hollowcylindrical portion that is cut out in part and that has sharp edges.Advantageously, the incoming air (arrow E) penetrates into the openblister 21 over the outside of said perforator and/or cutter means 41,as shown in FIG. 5. By way of example, this can be obtained as a resultof the movable support means 50 being displaced towards thereservoir-opening position along a curved line. The displacement along acurve results in one or more openings 25 that are slightly larger thanthe dimensions of the perforator and/or cutter element 41. Therefore,this enables the inhalation air to flow over the outside of saidperforator and/or cutter element 41 in order to penetrate into theblister 21. If necessary, special means could also be provided forforming an opening outside said perforator and/or cutter element 41,e.g. ribs 410 or any other appropriate external profile on saidperforator and/or cutter element 41 (see FIGS. 29 to 32). The flow ofoutgoing air carrying powder (arrow S) preferably leaves the reservoiror blister 21 via the hollow inside of said perforator and/or cuttermeans 41, as shown in FIG. 16. Optionally, as shown in FIG. 18, both theflow of incoming air (arrow E) and the flow of outgoing air carrying thepowder (arrow S) could pass through respective hollow channels providedinside the perforator and/or cutter means 41. The special shape of theperforator and/or cutter element 41 as shown in the figures provides a“louvre” type cut that provides all of the advantages mentioned above,and in particular avoids the holes 25, that are created by perforating,from being covered, even in part, by perforated wall portions 24. Thismakes it possible to guarantee that the blister 21 is emptied ascompletely as possible, and therefore ensures that the dispenser is aseffective as possible. In addition, metering reproducibility is optimum,with the same quantity of powder being expelled each time by means ofthe device of the invention.

FIGS. 29 and 30 show a variant embodiment of the perforator and/orcutter element 41, in which a central point 420 divides the outside ofthe element into a plurality of channels, in this example four channels.External splines 410 are provided on the outside edge so as to createlateral openings enabling the inhalation flow to enter into thereservoir.

FIGS. 31 and 32 show another variant embodiment that is fairly similarto the embodiment in FIGS. 13 to 17, namely with two perforator ends 42,43 that are separated by a distance 44 that is adapted to house at leastpart of the cut wall portion of the blister. In this embodiment, theopenings are disposed back to back, unlike FIG. 17 in which they areface to face. External splines 410 are also advantageously provided onthe outside edge.

FIG. 26 shows a second embodiment of the inhaler. This second embodimentdiffers from the first embodiment in FIGS. 1 to 8 mainly by the outsideshape of the device, and by the different shape of the resilient means51 that make it possible to prestress the device while it is beingopened. In this second embodiment, the body 10 includes only one capelement 11 that is to be opened in order to stress the device. Duringopening, a spring blade 51 is deformed by said cap element 11 onopening, thereby providing the stress that is provided by the spring 51in the above-described embodiment. Once again, the spring blade 51 urgesthe movable support means 50 towards the reservoir-opening position inwhich the reservoir 21 is displaced against the opening means 40, butsuitable blocking means 100, such as the blocking means described above,or other blocking means, are provided so as to prevent this displacementuntil the user inhales. Inhalation by the user unblocks said blockingmeans 100, thereby making it possible, via the opening means 40, to openthe reservoir 21 and to dispense automatically the dose containedtherein, and thereby making it possible, via the dispenser chamber 70provided upstream from the mouthpiece 15, to expel said dose into theuser's lungs. The movable support means 50 can be made in the form of apart made of deformable plastics material, said part incorporating thespring blade 51, an urging element 50 co-operating with the guide wheel30, and one or two extensions 52, 53 that are adapted to co-operate withthe body 10 so as to make it possible to stress the spring blade 51. Inthe embodiment shown, a first extension 52 co-operates with a toothedwheel 200 that is suitable for forming an anti-return ratchet and aroll-up system for rolling up the used blister strip 35. A secondextension 53 can co-operate with the dispenser chamber 70, or it can beconnected in any way to the blocking means 100.

FIG. 27 shows another embodiment that differs from the embodiment inFIG. 26 mainly by the different shape of the resilient means 51 forprestressing the device while the device is being opened. The shape ofthe body 10 of the inhaler is also changed slightly, even if thedifference is not so great compared to the first embodiment in FIGS. 1to 8. The different shape of the resilient means 51 that make itpossible to prestress the device while the cap 11 is being opened,differs slightly from the shape shown in the second embodiment, but itsfunction is strictly identical and is therefore not described in greaterdetail below. In this particular embodiment, the movable support means50 are made integrally with a spring blade 51 that is deformed while thedevice is being opened, and an optionally-resilient second part 54 canbe provided for rolling up the used blister strip 35, and/or forunblocking the blocking means 100. It should be observed that theblocking means 100 are not shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, and that they canbe actuated in any appropriate manner.

FIG. 28 shows an external view of another advantageous embodiment of theinhaler that is fairly similar to the embodiment in FIGS. 1 to 8.

In all of the embodiments described above, the blister strip is formedby a strip presenting two ends. In a variant, it is possible to use acontinuous strip. Other modifications are also possible without goingbeyond the ambit of the present invention.

The present invention therefore makes it possible to provide adry-powder inhaler that performs the following functions:

-   -   a plurality of individual doses of powder stored in individual        sealed reservoirs, e.g. 60 doses stored on a rolled-up strip;    -   the powder is released by perforation that is achieved by the        user inhaling, the blister being perforated by means of an        inhalation detector system that is coupled to a prestressed        release system;    -   appropriately-shaped drive means that are engaged with blisters        so as to displace the blister strip on each actuation, and to        bring a new reservoir into a position in which it is to be        opened by appropriate opening means; and    -   a dose indicator that is mechanically connected to the movement        of the blister strip.

Other functions are also provided by the device of the invention asdescribed above. It should be observed that the various functions, evenif they are shown as being provided simultaneously on the variousembodiments of the inhaler, could be implemented separately. Inparticular, the inhalation trigger mechanism could be used regardless ofthe type of reservoir opening means, regardless of the use of a doseindicator, regardless of the way in which the individual reservoirs arearranged relative to one another, etc. The prestressing means and theinhalation trigger system could be made in some other way. The sameapplies for other component parts of the device.

The inhaler of the invention, incorporating all or some of theabove-described functions, provides performance that is superior to theperformance of existing devices. In particular, the inhaler of theinvention provides a reservoir emptying factor of at least 90% on eachactuation. The emptying factor, corresponding to the percentage of fluidthat is expelled from an open reservoir while the device is beingactuated, is advantageously greater than 95%, preferably even greaterthan 97%. In particular, this high emptying factor is even greater thanthe performance obtained with active inhalers that are generally moreeffective than passive inhalers, and in which it is not the inhalationflow that empties the blister and expels the dose but a flow ofcompressed air that is released while inhaling. The high emptying factorguarantees that the device of the invention is as effective as possible.Coupled with the inhalation-triggered opening, the high emptying factorguarantees that the fluid, specifically the powder, is dispensed inoptimum manner into the user's lungs. The table below shows measurementstaken with a budesonide/lactose mixture at 1.17% by weight, with variousflow rates corresponding to typical inhalation flow rates. Thus, threemeasurements were taken with respective flow rates of about 7.5 litersper minute (L/min), 10 L/min, and 15 L/min. The measurements consistedin measuring the quantity of powder remaining in the blister after beingemptied by the flow of air, and, by comparison with the quantity ofpowder inserted into the blister, thus measuring the emptying factor ofsaid blister. The measurements show the very high effectiveness of thedevice of the invention, the emptying factor in this example beingsystematically at least equal to 97%.

Quantity of Powder Powder powder inserted remaining in dispensedFlowrate into blister blister from blister % of dose (L/min) (mg) (mg)(mg) dispensed 7.5 10.63 0.00 10.63 1.00 0.98 7.5 10.18 0.13 10.05 0.997.4 9.78 0.32 9.46 0.97 10.0 9.86 0.31 9.55 0.97 0.99 10.0 10.38 0.0010.38 1.00 9.9 9.77 0.00 9.77 1.00 15.0 10.01 0.00 10.01 1.00 1.00 14.59.76 0.04 9.72 1.00 14.5 10.04 0.02 10.02 1.00

The invention also provides improved emptying regularity of thereservoirs during successive actuations. Thus, for ten reservoirs of ablister strip, for example, it turns out that the emptying factor variesby less than 15%, advantageously less than 10%, preferably less than 5%from one reservoir to another. This improved regularity guaranteesimproved dose reproducibility, and therefore also improved effectivenessof the device of the invention.

Various modifications can also be envisaged by a person skilled in theart, without going beyond the ambit of the present invention, as definedby the accompanying claims.

1-28. (canceled)
 29. A fluid dispenser device including at least oneindividual reservoir (21) containing a single dose of fluid, such aspowder, opening means (40) being provided for opening an individualreservoir (21) each time the device is actuated, wherein the reservoirs(21) are made in the form of an elongate strip (20) comprising aplurality of individual reservoirs (21) disposed one behind another,wherein said fluid dispenser device comprises dose counter or indicatormeans that are marked directly on said elongate strip.
 30. A deviceaccording to claim 29, in which said dose counter or indicator meansinclude numbers or symbols.
 31. A device according to claim 29, in whichsaid device comprises a body, said body having a window through whichsaid dose counter or indicator means are visible.
 32. A device accordingto claim 29, wherein said opening means (40) comprise perforator and/orcutter means (41) and movable support means (50), said movable supportmeans (50) being adapted to displace an individual reservoir (21)against said perforator and/or cutter means (41) on each actuation, saiddisplacement being performed automatically by the user inhaling.
 33. Adevice according to claim 32, in which said movable support means (50)are displaceable between a non-dispensing position and a dispensingposition, said movable support means (50) being urged towards theirdispensing position by resilient means (51), such as a spring or aspring blade, and being held in their non-dispensing position byblocking means (100).
 34. A device according to claim 33, in which saidblocking means (100) are released by the user inhaling.
 35. A deviceaccording to claim 33, in which said resilient means (51) are deformablebetween a rest position, in which they do not urge the movable supportmeans (50) towards their dispensing position, and a stressed position,in which they urge said movable support means (50) towards theirdispensing position, said resilient means (51) being deformed manuallyinto their stressed position before the user inhales.
 36. A deviceaccording to claim 35, in which said device comprises a body (10) and acap (11; 11, 12) that is movable between a closed position and an openposition, opening the cap (11; 11, 12) deforming the resilient means(51) into their stressed position.
 37. A device according to claim 29,in which a dispenser chamber (70) is provided for receiving the dose offluid contained in a reservoir (21) after said reservoir has beenopened, said dispenser chamber (70) being connected firstly to saidopening means (40), and secondly to a dispenser orifice (79) that isconnected to an inhaler endpiece (15).
 38. A device according to claim37, in which said dispenser chamber (70) contains at least one movablebead (75).
 39. A device according to claim 29, in which said openingmeans (40) do not move while the reservoir (21) is being opened.
 40. Adevice according to claim 29, in which said movable support means (50)support a guide wheel (30), said guide wheel (30) being firstly turnableabout its central pin (39) so as to cause the elongate strip (20) toadvance, and secondly displaceable, together with the movable supportmeans (50), towards a dispensing position, so as to bring a reservoir(21) into contact with the reservoir opening means (40).
 41. A deviceaccording to claim 40, in which the guide wheel (30) is turned manuallyby the user, whereas its displacement towards the dispensing positiontakes place automatically by the user inhaling.
 42. A device accordingto claim 29, in which said opening means (40) comprise perforator and/orcutter means (41) that are adapted to cut a closure wall (23) of thereservoir (21) in such a manner that the cut portion(s) (24) does/do notobstruct the opening(s) (25) that is/are formed.